【０００１】[0001]
【産業上の利用分野】本発明は、二次元配列振動子によ
り構成された超音波探触子を有する超音波診断装置に関
する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe composed of a two-dimensional array transducer.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】超音波診断装置において、高速で二次元
走査を行なう技術として二次元配列振動子を用いる方法
が知られている。以下、その動作原理について図３に示
す概略ブロック図を参照しながら説明する。2. Description of the Related Art In ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, a method using a two-dimensional array transducer is known as a technique for performing two-dimensional scanning at high speed. The operating principle will be described below with reference to the schematic block diagram shown in FIG.
【０００３】図３において、１０１は超音波探触子であ
り、図４に示されるように二次元的に配列された振動子
で構成される。この例では８×８で６４個の振動子で構
成される。１０２は送信回路である。１０３は増幅部、
１０４はＡ／Ｄ変換部であり、この例ではそれぞれ６４
個の増幅器およびＡ／Ｄ変換器により構成される。１０
５はビーム合成器、１０６は信号処理部、１０７は表示
部である。In FIG. 3, reference numeral 101 denotes an ultrasonic probe, which is composed of transducers arranged two-dimensionally as shown in FIG. In this example, it is composed of 8 × 8 and 64 transducers. 102 is a transmission circuit. 103 is an amplifier
Reference numeral 104 denotes an A / D conversion unit, which is 64 in this example.
It is composed of one amplifier and an A / D converter. 10
5 is a beam combiner, 106 is a signal processing unit, and 107 is a display unit.
【０００４】以上の構成について、以下その動作ととも
にさらに詳細に説明する。図３において、送信回路１０
２は、駆動パルスを発生し、全ての二次元配列振動子を
駆動する。各駆動パルスの間に位相差が与えられ、超音
波探触子１０１から送波される超音波ビームは指向性が
制御され、収束、偏向される。送波された超音波ビーム
は、被検体中で反射されて超音波探触子１０１に入射
し、超音波探触子１０１の出力は、Ａ／Ｄ変換部１０４
でディジタル信号に変換され、ビーム合成器１０５で加
算される。ビーム合成器１０５では、Ａ／Ｄ変換部１０
４の各出力に遅延時間を与えることで、超音波探触子１
０１に受信の指向性が与えられ、送波および受信の指向
性を変えることで被検体全体を三次元走査できる。以上
のようにして得られた受信信号は、信号処理部１０６で
検波され、表示部１０７に表示される。The above structure will be described in more detail below along with the operation thereof. In FIG. 3, the transmission circuit 10
2 generates a drive pulse and drives all the two-dimensional array oscillators. A phase difference is given between the driving pulses, and the directivity of the ultrasonic beam transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 101 is controlled, and the ultrasonic beam is converged and deflected. The transmitted ultrasonic beam is reflected in the subject and enters the ultrasonic probe 101, and the output of the ultrasonic probe 101 is the A / D conversion unit 104.
Are converted into digital signals by and are added by the beam combiner 105. In the beam combiner 105, the A / D converter 10
By giving a delay time to each output of 4, the ultrasonic probe 1
01 is given a reception directivity, and the entire subject can be three-dimensionally scanned by changing the transmission and reception directivities. The received signal obtained as described above is detected by the signal processing unit 106 and displayed on the display unit 107.
【０００５】[0005]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】しかしながら、上記従
来の二次元配列振動子を有する超音波診断装置では、表
示の深度が近距離の場合には、ビーム幅が太いために分
解能が悪く、超音波ビームの偏向角が大きい場合には、
指向性が悪いという問題があった。However, in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having the above-mentioned conventional two-dimensional array transducer, when the display depth is a short distance, the beam width is large and therefore the resolution is poor, and the ultrasonic wave is reduced. If the beam deflection angle is large,
There was the problem of poor directivity.
【０００６】本発明は、このような従来の問題を解決す
るものであり、二次元配列振動子を用いて、表示の深度
の距離や超音波ビームの偏向角によらず分解能が高く、
指向性の良いビーム形成を行なうことのできる超音波診
断装置を提供することを目的とするものである。The present invention solves such a conventional problem by using a two-dimensional array oscillator, and has a high resolution regardless of the distance of the display depth or the deflection angle of the ultrasonic beam.
An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of forming a beam with good directivity.
【０００７】[0007]
【課題を解決するための手段】本発明は、上記目的を達
成するために、超音波探触子を構成するＮ×Ｍ個の二次
元配列振動子のうち、その中央部のＫ×Ｌ個（Ｋ＜Ｎ、
Ｌ＜Ｍ）を送受信兼用とし、その周囲の残りの部分を受
信専用としたものである。In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a K × L number of N × M two-dimensional array transducers constituting an ultrasonic probe in the central portion thereof. (K <N,
L <M) is used for both transmission and reception, and the remaining part around it is used only for reception.
【０００８】本発明はまた、上記目的を達成するため
に、表示の深さに応じてＫおよびまたはＬを変更するこ
とで、送信時の二次元配列振動子の開口形状を変化させ
るようにしたものである。In order to achieve the above object, the present invention also changes the aperture shape of the two-dimensional array transducer at the time of transmission by changing K and / or L according to the depth of display. It is a thing.
【０００９】本発明はまた、上記目的を達成するため
に、超音波ビームの偏向方向に応じてＫおよびまたはＬ
を変更することで、送信時の二次元配列振動子の開口形
状を変化させるようにしたものである。In order to achieve the above object, the present invention also provides K and / or L depending on the deflection direction of the ultrasonic beam.
Is changed so as to change the aperture shape of the two-dimensional array transducer at the time of transmission.
【００１０】[0010]
【作用】したがって、本発明によれば、二次元配列振動
子の中央部で送信を行ない、また全ての二次元配列振動
子により受信を行なうので、ビーム幅が細く、高い分解
能を実現することができる。また、送信用の配線を少な
くすることができる。Therefore, according to the present invention, since the transmission is performed at the central portion of the two-dimensional array oscillator and the reception is performed by all the two-dimensional array oscillators, the beam width is thin and high resolution can be realized. it can. Moreover, the number of wirings for transmission can be reduced.
【００１１】また本発明によれば、表示の深度が近距離
の場合には、送信を行なう二次元配列振動子の数を減ら
すことにより、ビーム幅を細くでき、高い分解能を実現
することができる。また本発明によれば、超音波ビーム
の偏向角が大きい場合には、送信を行なう二次元配列振
動子を偏向方向に多くすることにより、送受信における
高い指向性を実現することができる。Further, according to the present invention, when the display depth is a short distance, the beam width can be narrowed and high resolution can be realized by reducing the number of two-dimensional array transducers for transmission. . Further, according to the present invention, when the deflection angle of the ultrasonic beam is large, it is possible to realize high directivity in transmission and reception by increasing the number of transmitting two-dimensional array transducers in the deflection direction.
【００１２】[0012]
【実施例】以下、本発明の実施例について図面を参照し
ながら説明する。図１は本発明の一実施例における超音
波診断装置を示す概略ブロック図である。図１におい
て、１は超音波探触子であり、本実施例では６４個の振
動子で構成されている。２は送信用振動子選択スイッチ
であり、３は送信回路である。４は増幅部、５はＡ／Ｄ
変換部であり、本実施例ではそれぞれ６４個の増幅器お
よびＡ／Ｄ変換器により構成される。６はビーム合成
器、７はメモリ、８は信号処理部、９は表示部である。Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an ultrasonic probe, which is composed of 64 transducers in this embodiment. Reference numeral 2 is a transducer selection switch for transmission, and 3 is a transmission circuit. 4 is an amplifier, 5 is an A / D
This is a conversion unit, and in the present embodiment, each is composed of 64 amplifiers and A / D converters. 6 is a beam combiner, 7 is a memory, 8 is a signal processing unit, and 9 is a display unit.
【００１３】図２は上記超音波探触子１を構成する二次
元配列振動子の平面図である。本実施例では、図２
（ａ）に示すように、縦（Ｎ）８×横（Ｍ）８＝６４個
の二次元配列振動子のうち、その中央部の縦（Ｋ）４×
横（Ｌ）４＝１６個の二次元配列振動子を送受信兼用振
動子１２とし、その周囲の残りの部分を受信専用振動子
１１としたものである。したがって、超音波探触子１は
二次元的に配置された４８個の受信専用振動子１１と１
６個の送受信兼用振動子１２の計６４個の振動子から構
成される。FIG. 2 is a plan view of a two-dimensional array transducer which constitutes the ultrasonic probe 1. In this embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (a), among the (N) 8 × horizontal (M) 8 = 64 two-dimensional array transducers, the central portion has a vertical (K) 4 ×.
The horizontal (L) 4 = 16 two-dimensional array transducers are used as transmission / reception transducers 12, and the remaining portions around them are used as reception-only transducers 11. Therefore, the ultrasonic probe 1 includes the 48 reception-only transducers 11 and 1 arranged two-dimensionally.
It is composed of a total of 64 transducers, ie, 6 transducers 12 for both transmission and reception.
【００１４】以上の構成について、以下その動作ととも
にさらに詳細に説明する。図１において、送信回路３
は、駆動パルスを発生し、超音波探触子１の各振動子を
駆動する。遠距離の場合には、送信用振動子選択スイッ
チ２により、図２（ａ）において左上向き斜線で示され
た領域内の１６個の送受信兼用振動子１２を送信に用い
る。各振動子に加えられる各駆動パルスの間には、位相
差が与えられ、超音波探触子１から送波される超音波ビ
ームは指向性が制御され、収束、偏向される。The above configuration will be described in more detail below together with its operation. In FIG. 1, the transmission circuit 3
Generates a drive pulse to drive each transducer of the ultrasonic probe 1. In the case of a long distance, the 16 transducers 12 for both transmission and reception are used for transmission by the transducer selection switch 2 for transmission in the area indicated by the diagonal line pointing to the upper left in FIG. A phase difference is given between the drive pulses applied to each transducer, and the directivity of the ultrasonic beam transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 1 is controlled, and the ultrasonic beam is converged and deflected.
【００１５】表示の深度が近距離の場合には、送信用振
動子選択スイッチ２により、図２（ｂ）において左向き
斜線で示された領域内の４個の送受信兼用振動子１２ａ
を選択して送信を行なうことにより、超音波ビームの幅
をさらに細かくすることができる。When the display depth is a short distance, the four transducers 12a for transmission / reception within the area indicated by the diagonal line to the left in FIG. 2B are selected by the transducer selection switch 2 for transmission.
By selecting and transmitting, the width of the ultrasonic beam can be further reduced.
【００１６】超音波ビームの偏向角が大きい場合には、
送信用振動子選択スイッチ２により、図２（ｃ）におい
て左上向き斜線で示された領域内の８個の送受信兼用振
動子１２ｂを選択し、偏向方向の振動子を増やして送信
に用いることで指向性を高めることができる。When the deflection angle of the ultrasonic beam is large,
By using the transmission transducer selection switch 2, eight transmission / transmission transducers 12b in the area indicated by the upper left diagonal line in FIG. 2C are selected, and the number of transducers in the deflection direction is increased to be used for transmission. The directivity can be increased.
【００１７】送波された超音波ビームは、被検体中で反
射されて超音波探触子１に入射し、超音波探触子１の受
信専用振動子１１と送受信兼用振動子１２のそれぞれの
出力は、Ａ／Ｄ変換部５でディジタル信号に変換され、
ビーム合成器６で加算される。ビーム合成器６では、Ａ
／Ｄ変換部５の各出力に遅延時間を与えることで超音波
探触子１に受信の指向性が与えられ、送波および受信の
指向性を変えることにより被検体全体を走査できる。ビ
ーム合成器６から出力された受信信号は、一旦メモリ７
に記憶された後、信号処理部８で検波され、表示部９に
表示される。The transmitted ultrasonic beam is reflected in the subject and is incident on the ultrasonic probe 1, and the transducer 11 for reception and the transducer 12 for both transmission and reception of the ultrasonic probe 1 respectively. The output is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 5,
The beams are added by the beam combiner 6. In the beam combiner 6, A
By giving a delay time to each output of the / D conversion unit 5, the ultrasonic probe 1 is given a receiving directivity, and the entire subject can be scanned by changing the transmitting and receiving directivities. The received signal output from the beam combiner 6 is temporarily stored in the memory 7
Then, the signal is detected by the signal processing unit 8 and displayed on the display unit 9.
【００１８】このように上記実施例によれば、送信を中
央部の送受信兼用振動子１２を用いて行なうので、超音
波ビームの幅を細くでき、分解能を高めることができ、
送信用の配線を少なくすることができるという利点を有
する。また、表示の深度が近距離の場合は、送信時の振
動子の数を減らすことにより、超音波ビームの幅を細く
でき、表示の深度が浅いときに分解能を高めることがで
きるという利点を有する。さらに、超音波ビームの偏向
角が大きい場合は、送信時の偏向方向の振動子の数を増
やすことにより、指向性を高めることができるという利
点を有する。As described above, according to the above-mentioned embodiment, since the transmission / reception combined vibrator 12 is used in the central portion, the width of the ultrasonic beam can be narrowed and the resolution can be improved.
This has the advantage that the number of wires for transmission can be reduced. Further, when the display depth is short distance, the width of the ultrasonic beam can be reduced by reducing the number of transducers at the time of transmission, and there is an advantage that the resolution can be increased when the display depth is shallow. . Further, when the deflection angle of the ultrasonic beam is large, there is an advantage that the directivity can be enhanced by increasing the number of transducers in the deflection direction during transmission.
【００１９】また、以上の例では超音波探触子１の送信
に用いる振動子は、図２（ａ）に示されるような配置の
送受信兼用振動子１２により行なうものとしたが、異な
った配置の振動子で行なうこともできる。例えば図２
（ｄ）に示される配置の送受信兼用振動子１２ｃにより
行なうことにより、サイドローブの影響を低下させた超
音波ビームの出力を得ることができ、高い分解能を実現
できるという利点を有する。Further, in the above example, the transducer used for transmitting the ultrasonic probe 1 is the transmitter / receiver transducer 12 arranged as shown in FIG. 2 (a), but a different arrangement is used. It can also be performed with a vibrator. Figure 2
By using the transmitter / receiver oscillator 12c having the arrangement shown in (d), it is possible to obtain the output of the ultrasonic beam in which the influence of the side lobe is reduced, and it is possible to realize high resolution.
【００２０】なお、以上の実施例では、送信部の開口は
矩形状であったが、Ｋ×Ｌ内にある楕円状開口あるいは
多角形状開口でも同様の効果を得ることができる。In the above embodiments, the aperture of the transmitter is rectangular, but the same effect can be obtained with an elliptical or polygonal aperture within K × L.
【００２１】[0021]
【発明の効果】以上説明したように、本発明によれば、
超音波探触子を構成する二次元配列振動子の中央部で送
信を行ない、また全ての二次元配列振動子により受信を
行なうので、ビーム幅が細く、高い分解能を実現するこ
とができる。また、送信用の配線を少なくすることがで
きる。As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the transmission is performed at the central portion of the two-dimensional array transducer that constitutes the ultrasonic probe and the reception is performed by all the two-dimensional array transducers, the beam width is narrow and high resolution can be realized. Moreover, the number of wirings for transmission can be reduced.
【００２２】また本発明によれば、表示の深度が近距離
の場合には、送信を行なう二次元配列振動子の数を減ら
すことにより、ビーム幅をさらに細くでき、高い分解能
を実現することができる。Further, according to the present invention, when the display depth is a short distance, the beam width can be further reduced and a high resolution can be realized by reducing the number of two-dimensional array transducers for transmission. it can.
【００２３】また本発明によれば、超音波ビームの偏向
角が大きい場合には、送信を行なう二次元配列振動子を
偏向方向に多くすることにより送受信における高い指向
性を実現することができる。Further, according to the present invention, when the deflection angle of the ultrasonic beam is large, it is possible to realize high directivity in transmission and reception by increasing the number of transmitting two-dimensional array transducers in the deflection direction.
【図１】本発明の一実施例における超音波診断装置の構
成を示す概略ブロック図FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
【図２】同装置の超音波探触子における二次元配列振動
子の配置を示す平面図FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the arrangement of two-dimensional array transducers in the ultrasonic probe of the same device.
【図３】従来の超音波診断装置の構成を示す概略ブロッ
ク図FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
【図４】同装置の超音波探触子における二次元配列振動
子の配置を示す平面図FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the arrangement of two-dimensional array transducers in the ultrasonic probe of the same device.
１ 超音波探触子 ２ 送信用振動子選択スイッチ ３ 送信回路 ４ 増幅部 ５ Ａ／Ｄ変換部 ６ ビーム合成器 ７ メモリ ８ 信号処理部 ９ 表示部 １１ 受信専用振動子 １２ 送受信兼用振動子 1 ultrasonic probe 2 transmission transducer selection switch 3 transmission circuit 4 amplification section 5 A / D conversion section 6 beam combiner 7 memory 8 signal processing section 9 display section 11 reception-only transducer 12 transmission / reception transducer
───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (72)発明者 福 喜 多 博 神奈川県横浜市港北区綱島東四丁目３番１ 号 松下通信工業株式会社内 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Kita Hiroshi Kita 4-3-1, Tsunashima Higashi, Kohoku Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd.
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP20185294AJP3325716B2 (en) | 1994-08-26 | 1994-08-26 | Ultrasound diagnostic equipment |
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP20185294AJP3325716B2 (en) | 1994-08-26 | 1994-08-26 | Ultrasound diagnostic equipment |
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH0862196Atrue JPH0862196A (en) | 1996-03-08 |
| JP3325716B2 JP3325716B2 (en) | 2002-09-17 |
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP20185294AExpired - Fee RelatedJP3325716B2 (en) | 1994-08-26 | 1994-08-26 | Ultrasound diagnostic equipment |
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